Bent stub axle & LCA

[shamat]

Hi All,

After a great weekend driving Monkey Gum and other tracks around Yalwal my steering alignment and camber on the passenger front seemed to be all out of what.

After a quick trip the the mechanics this morning they were able to get the alignment back into spec, but there is absolutist no more adjustment available. Apparently I have bent the Stub Axle and possibly the Lower Control Arm.

So my question to the group is, are there any Heavy Duty replacement stub axles or Lower Control Arms available for our lux's and where can I get them?

All the suspension kits seems to have replacement Upper Arms, but nothing regarding Stub Axles or Lower arms.

I'm not running any lift but to have negative offset rims to clear the from calipers on my SR (which i have read could have contributed to bending the Stub Axle).

Given I'm going to have to change them I'll probably put in a 2" lift at the same time, so if you know anyone that does all of this as a HD kit please let me know.

Thanks in advance.

Shamat

[Rocket55]

Have a look through this thread http://www.newhilux.net/phpbb/viewtopic ... 28&t=17263

Also see 2nd post down in Craig's build http://www.newhilux.net/phpbb/viewtopic ... &start=180

Also check out Lukes beast http://www.newhilux.net/phpbb/viewtopic ... 04&start=0

[shamat]

Thanks Rocket55, but I'm really looking for bolt on options.

Welding bracing on the stub axle doesn't seem like a great idea to me and the bolt on options only seem to cater for big lifts.I really don't want or need anything more than a 2" lift but do see value in using stronger parts where available.

Maybe Matt from Monster Rides or the guys from Ultimate Suspension could give me some advice?

[rory18]

Total chaos did a what I believe was a billet stub axle assembly? But that is from the states.

[rory18]

Never mind, not for a Vigo

[shamat]

Never mind, not for a Vigo

but they do nice lower and upper control arms

[shamat]

How likely is it I would have bent the Stub Axle Bracket (that joins the upper and lower arms) opposed to the stub axle itself? Or are these one and the same?

When searching for a heavy duty stub axle I see lots about bracing the bracket (as per some of the above links), but also some of the images show the actual wheel assembly.

Sorry for asking what might a stupid question, but this is a learning curve for me.

[rory18]

It's called a spindle and basically do the same thing. Spindle connects the upper and lower control arms together and the CV, bearing and hub mount to the spindle. One way to do a quick check it it is bent is to measure the gap between your wheel and the spi for on both sides.

[Torsion]

How'd this all end up for ya cobba.

[shamat]

How'd this all end up for ya cobba.

Hey Torsion,
Manged to get the alignment within spec without replacing the parts, but am completely out of any more adjustment and the Tow out on turn isnt quite right.

Ive decided to bring back the offset of my wheels to something more reasonable and remove some of the weight off the front (change the bull bar to something lighter) before I upgrade the suspension and steering components.

[Critter350]

Had a wheel alignment today and the guy tells me I've 'most likely bent your stub axle', assume he's talking about the spindle, and reading this thread it's pretty common. BTW, I have no lift and stock tyres, guess it was unlucky bump.
I pulled the wheel off (but not the disk) for a quick look - surely if the spindle was bent the disk would rub on anything attached to LCA, like brakes and disk guard? More likely spot for the bend is the leg the steering rod attaches to? Orange bit in this pic.



Cheers
Crit

[fracturedranga]

Mine bent when i hit a roo, bent the upright bit that goes from the hub to the upper control arm. Mine was noticeably bent but it wouldnt take much to throw out your alignment

[Critter350]

Stupid question - if bending the spindles is so easy, why is finding replacements so hard? (Online)


Cheers
Crit

[shamat]

I found a place in Melbourne who occasionally get replacements in, but their not that strong. I ended up getting a set but then got the gussetts from Buds Customs and had them welded on.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

[shamat]

Had a wheel alignment today and the guy tells me I've 'most likely bent your stub axle', assume he's talking about the spindle, and reading this thread it's pretty common. BTW, I have no lift and stock tyres, guess it was unlucky bump.
I pulled the wheel off (but not the disk) for a quick look - surely if the spindle was bent the disk would rub on anything attached to LCA, like brakes and disk guard? More likely spot for the bend is the leg the steering rod attaches to? Orange bit in this pic.



Cheers
Crit

They usually bend at the top where they connect to the UCA. At lats that's were both mine did.

You'll be able to tell by measuring the gap between the inside of the tyre and the spindle (sometimes called steering knuckle). If the gap is not the same one is probably bent.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

[fracturedranga]

Stupid question - if bending the spindles is so easy, why is finding replacements so hard? (Online)


Cheers
Crit

I just picked one up from the wreckers cost $50 i think and took less than an hr to change. I think of it like a fuse part (like cvs) id rather it bend( as it cheap and easy to fix) rather than break a lower control arm or either of the control arm mounts

[shamat]

Stupid question - if bending the spindles is so easy, why is finding replacements so hard? (Online)


Cheers
Crit

I just picked one up from the wreckers cost $50 i think and took less than an hr to change. I think of it like a fuse part (like cvs) id rather it bend( as it cheap and easy to fix) rather than break a lower control arm or either of the control arm mounts

Best I could find at the wreckers was $150 with no guarantee they were straight. Picked up the after market ones for the same price, brand new (obviously then had the price of the gussets to add on though).

I agree with the "fusable link" philosophy, but its like putting a 5 amp fuse in a 30 amp circuit. They are just too soft and bend too easily. I think the CV's will give out well before the UCA or LCA mounts do if its getting that much abuse. They usually cop huge amounts of shock loading from bouncing and hard hits that would cause a spindle to bend.

[fracturedranga]

You must be gitting alot of hard shit to think theyre soft. Ive done alot of hard tracks have 33s and only managed to bend one when i hit a roo at 100kmh directly with the wheel.

[shamat]

You must be gitting alot of hard shit to think theyre soft. Ive done alot of hard tracks have 33s and only managed to bend one when i hit a roo at 100kmh directly with the wheel.

Bent 2 within months of each other.
Only running 31's at the time, but -30 offset.
One bent doing Monkey Gum track, the other just mucking around to get a flex shot after a 3" lift was installed. No bouncing or anything. Maybe it was just really bad luck to get 2 that close together.. or a manufacturing defect.

Now run 33's with 0 offset, same 3" lift and since having them gusseted have not had any issues - and I do push it hard.

[Critter350]

Thanks for all the info guys.
I didn't think it was that bad a bump, but the Mrs didn't talk to me for an hour afterwards so maybe it was worse on that side.
Anyone used Partsouq? Bit like ToyoDIY but with diagrams, some photos and they sell the stuff, so the prices are probably more accurate. Their website doesn't play nice on the iPhone though.


Cheers
Crit